90 Condolence Messages: What to Say When Someone Has Lost a Loved One

What do you say in a condolence message?

A good condolence message acknowledges the loss, shares a kind word or memory about the person who died and offers support. It can be as short as two sentences. For example: "I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was always so welcoming, and I will never forget her laugh. I am here for you, today and in the weeks ahead." Sincerity matters far more than finding perfect words.

Short condolence messages

1. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.
2. With deepest sympathy and love.
3. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
4. I am so sorry. Sending you love and strength.
5. Holding you close in my heart today.
6. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
7. Wishing you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
8. There are no words, but I am here for you.
9. With love and sympathy to you and your family.
10. May beautiful memories bring you comfort.
11. I was so sorry to hear the news. I am thinking of you.
12. Sending gentle hugs and all my love.
13. So sorry for your loss. They will be deeply missed.
14. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
15. Remembering your loved one with you today.

For the loss of a mother

16. I am so sorry about your mom. She raised a wonderful person, and her love lives on in you.
17. Your mother was one of the kindest people I have known. I will always remember her warmth.
18. Thinking of you as you remember your mom. Her love will stay with you always.
19. There is no loss quite like losing a mother. I am here whenever you need to talk.
20. Your mom's laugh could light up any room. I feel lucky to have known her.
21. May the memories of your mother's love bring you comfort in the hard days ahead.

For the loss of a father

22. I am so sorry about your dad. He was a good man who was so proud of you.
23. Your father's kindness and humor touched so many people. He will be deeply missed.
24. Thinking of you and your family as you say goodbye to your dad.
25. Your dad always made everyone feel welcome. I will never forget his stories.
26. May the lessons your father taught you continue to guide and comfort you.
27. Sending love as you grieve your dad. He was one of a kind.

For the loss of a husband or wife

28. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. The love you shared was an inspiration to everyone around you.
29. Your wife was a bright light in our lives. I am holding you close in my thoughts.
30. There are no words for losing your partner. Please know I am here, for anything at all.
31. The two of you built such a beautiful life together. I hope those memories bring you some comfort.
32. Thinking of you every day. I will call next week, and I would love to bring dinner by.

For the loss of a child

33. I am so sorry. There are no words for a loss like this, but I am here and I am thinking of you.
34. Your child brought so much joy to everyone who knew them. We will hold their memory close.
35. Our hearts are breaking with yours. We are here for you, now and always.
36. Sending all our love to your family. Please let us know how we can help in any way.

For the loss of a grandparent

37. I am so sorry about your grandmother. I know how close you were and how much she adored you.
38. Your grandpa lived such a full life and was loved by so many. Thinking of you.
39. Grandparents leave a special kind of love behind. May your memories of her bring you peace.
40. Sending love as you remember your grandfather and all the stories he shared.
41. She was the heart of your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

For the loss of a friend

42. I am so sorry about your friend. True friendships like yours are rare and precious.
43. Your friend was lucky to have someone as loyal as you. Thinking of you today.
44. Losing a close friend is like losing family. I am here whenever you want to talk.
45. May the memories of all the fun you shared help carry you through this time.
46. Sending love as you say goodbye to such a special friend.

For the loss of a pet

47. I am so sorry about your dog. He was such a good boy and so lucky to be loved by you.
48. Pets are family, and losing one hurts so much. Thinking of you.
49. Your cat had the best life with you. Sending love and comfort.
50. So sorry for the loss of your loyal companion. The love you shared will never fade.
51. Thinking of you and all the happy memories you made together.

Condolence messages for a coworker

52. We are so sorry for your loss. Please take all the time you need; we have everything covered here.
53. Thinking of you and your family. Your team is here for you.
54. Please accept our deepest sympathies. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
55. We were so sorry to hear about your loss. You are in all of our thoughts.
56. Sending our heartfelt condolences to you and your family from everyone on the team.
57. With sympathy from all of us. Do not worry about work; focus on yourself and your family.

Professional messages for a client or boss

58. Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family.
59. I was very sorry to learn of your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort at this difficult time.
60. On behalf of everyone at our company, please accept our deepest sympathy.
61. I am thinking of you and your family and wishing you strength in the days ahead.

Religious condolence messages

62. May God's love surround you and bring you comfort and peace.
63. Praying for you and your family as you grieve.
64. May your loved one rest in eternal peace, and may you find strength in your faith.
65. Holding you in my prayers and asking God to give you peace.
66. May the God of all comfort be with you in the days ahead.
67. Rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon them.

Non-religious sympathy messages

68. Thinking of you and sending all my love.
69. Wishing you peace, comfort and courage in the days ahead.
70. May the love of the people around you help carry you through.
71. Their memory will live on in everyone they touched.
72. Remembering a life so beautifully lived, and sending you love.

Sympathy text messages

73. Just heard the news. I am so sorry. Thinking of you, and no need to reply.
74. Sending you so much love today. I am here if you want to talk, or just sit together.
75. I am so sorry about your dad. I would love to bring you dinner this week.
76. Thinking of you today and every day. Love you.
77. No words, just love. I am here whenever you need me.

Late condolence messages

78. I only just heard about your loss, and I am so sorry. You have been in my thoughts.
79. I know it has been a few weeks, but I wanted you to know I am still thinking of you.
80. I am sorry I did not reach out sooner. I was so saddened to hear the news and I am here for you.
81. Thinking of you as the months go by. Grief does not keep a schedule, and neither does my support.

Messages from a group or family

82. From all of us, our deepest sympathy and love.
83. Our whole family is thinking of you and sending love.
84. With heartfelt condolences from everyone in the neighborhood.
85. All of us at church are holding you in our prayers.
86. From your book club friends, with love and sympathy.

Messages that share a memory

87. I will always remember how your mom greeted everyone at the door with a hug.
88. Your dad taught me to fish when I was ten, and I still think of him every summer.
89. I keep thinking of the way she laughed at her own jokes. She made every gathering better.
90. He was the first person to welcome me to the team, and I will never forget his kindness.

How to write your own condolence message

1. Acknowledge the loss: use the name of the person who died if you can, for example "I am so sorry about Linda."
2. Share a memory or quality: one specific detail means more than general praise.
3. Offer specific support: instead of "let me know if you need anything", offer something concrete, like a meal, a ride or help with errands.
4. Close warmly: end with love, sympathy or a simple "thinking of you".

What not to say in a condolence message

• Avoid "everything happens for a reason": it can feel dismissive of the pain.
• Avoid "I know how you feel": every loss is different; say "I can only imagine" instead.
• Avoid "at least they lived a long life": avoid any sentence that starts with "at least".
• Be careful with "they are in a better place": use it only if you know the family shares that belief.
• Stories about your own loss: keep the focus on them, not on you.

How to sign a condolence card

Simple closings work best: "With deepest sympathy", "With love", "Thinking of you", "Holding you in my heart", "With heartfelt condolences" or "Sending love and strength". For more help with cards, see our guide on what to write in a sympathy card.

When to send a sympathy message

A text or call is fine in the first days, followed by a card within two weeks. Many grieving people say the hardest time is a month or two later, when the cards stop arriving, so a second message at that point, or on an anniversary or birthday, can mean a great deal.

A song in their memory

Sometimes words on a card do not feel like enough. A personalized memorial song can celebrate the person who died with their name, their story and the memories their family treasures, in a gentle acoustic, classical or ambient style. Families play it at the funeral, a celebration of life or on the first anniversary. See our memorial service songs and songs about grief for more.

How to create a memorial song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, classical, ambient and more.
2. Add the name of the person you are remembering.
3. Share three memories that capture who they were.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Honor their memory with a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.